Kenyan midfielder sees Arsenal as ‘stepping stone’ move.
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Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama wants a move to the Premier League this summer, with Arsenal said to be leading the chase for the 21-year-old, according to the Daily Mail.
The youngster has attracted a lot of attention from several English clubs after his performances in the SPL and the Champions League this season, with Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Southampton and Newcastle all said to be considering a move for him.
Valued at around £10million, Wanyama is supposedly keen to make a big move to further his career, but it has also been suggested by his mentor at the JMJ Youth Academy in Kenya that he would be interested in a ‘stepping stone’ move to develop his talent before moving on again.
His old coach Jean-Marie Abeels said there has been contact with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, but did not rule out Wanyama also playing for Manchester United one day, using Robin van Persie’s move between the two clubs last year as an example.
“Victor’s father Noah calls me almost every week and he tells me Arsenal’s interest is big,” he said.
“Wenger spoke to Celtic around a month ago and Victor’s father and his mother Mildred says he would prefer to go there before any other club.
“I will be speaking to his parents again in a week’s time and Victor also. But I already know that Arsenal have a big interest in the player.
“He is still young and I have told him he needs to be careful about when he takes the really big step.
“I think myself that it’s better that he has a step in between before going to the really big level.
“Van Persie went to Arsenal then moved on later to Manchester United. Victor can do the same if he goes to Arsenal. And I believe that is what he wants. He wants to go to Arsenal.”
While Arsenal fans will be pleased to see their club sign such a promising player in the upcoming transfer window, in a position that needs strengthening, it will not be good news to them that yet another player is viewing a move to their club as a stepping stone to bigger things.
The Gunners have earned something of a reputation in recent years of giving chances to young players and developing them before selling them on for big money, meaning star players the likes of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas have left the club as they were approaching their peak.
However, Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has welcomed the news of the club’s interest in Wanyama, whom he believes would be a great addition to the team.
“If Arsenal get to sign Victor Wanyama, I will be the first to welcome him,” said the Welshman.
“I have watched him play for Celtic, I watched him score against Barcelona and I think he is a great player.”